Kyel Tuckerman never envisioned attending college, but after learning about Vermont State University's (VTSU) hands-on Construction Management program, his perspective changed. Now in his second year of the program, Kyel is gaining valuable experience through internships, like one with Casella Construction, where he worked on a pipeline construction project. The program blends physical labor with management skills, preparing students to climb the career ladder.

“I want to put myself in a position in the future where I can climb the ladder. This program does that,” said Kyel. He initially joined the Associate’s degree program and later transitioned to the Bachelor’s program after realizing the supportive environment and the career opportunities available. “The juniors have job offers already,” he added.

The Construction Management program boasts a 100% placement rate, with graduates landing jobs as field engineers, estimators, or project managers, often with starting salaries close to $90,000. “It’s tough to beat that. It really is a top-notch program,” said Suzanne Pickett, the program coordinator.

VTSU’s Construction Management Bachelor's degree has recently earned accreditation from the Applied and Natural Sciences Accreditation Commission of ABET, a prestigious recognition of quality in education. “When our employer partners look at our graduates as candidates for the critical management positions in their companies, this industry recognition is icing on the cake,” said Pickett.

Industry leaders like Brian Rossier, Site Superintendent for Casella Construction, value VTSU's program for its well-rounded graduates with solid technical and management skills. "We know we’ll get graduates with a great work ethic and the solid set of technical and management skills we need to run a successful construction business,” Rossier stated.

The new accreditation also comes at a time when Vermont is in urgent need of skilled workers. “At a time when Vermont is desperate for skilled workers, we’re thrilled to see Vermont State University take this step to educate a construction workforce,” said Sarah Mearhoff, Director of Advocacy and Communications for the Associated General Contractors of Vermont.

For students like Kyel, the ABET accreditation ensures that their degrees are recognized industry-wide. “Being able to put the ABET accreditation on my resume means I’m that much more employable,” Kyel said.

To learn more about Vermont State University’s Construction Management program, visit Vermont State University's Construction Management Program.